ASSISTKINGS QUARTERLY: THE FINAL LEAGUE FRONTIER: WINNERS, LOSERS, JOKERS, SMOKERS & TITLE-CHOKERS

WELCOME MY FRIENDS
TO THE SHOW THAT'S 
ABOUT TO END...
WE PRESENT TO YOU OUR TOUGHEST LIST YET
WHO'S NUMBER 1?
YOU WON'T WANNA BET
IN FACT,  YOU MAY BE PISSED
BUT TRUST ME, YOU'LL GET THE GIST
FOR EVERY ASSIST, YOU GET ON THE LIST


THE LIST


10
KYLIAN MBAPPE  (PSG)

-15 assists overall 
-UDGC: 6
-CHANCES CREATED
 -TOTAL: 70
 -PER 90: 2.1 (UCL), 1.8 (LIGUE1)
-involved in 13 goals directly with Neymar           
          Mbappe hasn't had an assist in four matches, concentrating more on usurping Messi for the European Golden Shoe (he needs 4 goals to tie him, with one match left). 
           That's at least what I thought on the surface...
           Instead, the France World Cup hero was unselfish and looked for teammates at every juncture of the 90 minutes vs Dijon. 
          While attempting a bevy of shots on target, he was also creating chances and big openings with his movement constituting a persistent threat that pulled Dijon apart like Huey Lewis's post-80s career and laid them to waste.
          One chance spun from the boots of the French wizard was a brilliant through ball straight outta Hogwarts to Thomas Meunier, who's rasping shot was saved on its way into the top corner. Mbappe sliced a ridiculous pass between a streaking Cavani and a defender, leaving the Belgian right back free to storm forward, the shooting opportunity clean and clear on goal and forcing a wonderful save from the Dijon keeper.
          After neglecting his striking partner earlier in a two on one situation (Mbappe's shot smashing the side netting), the second occasion prompted Mbappe to tee Cavani up with a tap in, only for the Uruguayan to fluff his lines and make only marginal contact on the ball. It was a gorgeous kiss across the face of goal and it deserved to give Mbappe his 16th assist on the season. 
          He finished with 2 goals, 3 chances created and Cavani's point blank miss doesn't count Mbappe out of this list. Hell, not even his bullish, egotistical behavior while winning the Ligue 1 Player of the Year Award keeps him off the list, as it must be said Kylian's scoring is only matched by his fantastic ability to unleash devastating passing in the final third. 


9
NEYMAR (PSG)
DID NOT PLAY

-11 assists overall 
-UDGC: 5
-CHANCES CREATED
 -TOTAL: 76
 -PER 90: 3.5 (UCL), 2.9 (LIGUE1)
-involved in 13 goals with Mbappe 
- has set up 6 shots off the post 
 (Mbappe for 3 shots off the post in the last 5 matches, Cavani off the post x3)

          Neymar has had yet another wayward campaign by his standards: a second straight season watching PSG crash out of the Champions League while nursing an injury and looking on as they fail to thoroughly impress as a unit.
          The Brazilian hasn't often made our list due to this, yet he pushes himself into the top 10 thanks to a plethora of attacking quality in the last few matches, even whilst not playing last time out. Not only has he grabbed two assists since his return, he's set Mbappe up for three shots off the post in the last four matches.
           Even while operating at half of his capabilities, Neymar and Mbappe have combined to destroy Ligue 1, and had Neymar's injuries only been minor, we're sure they would've smashed Ligue 1 assists and goals records.
           If this is all we will ever see or know of the Mbappe-Neymar partnership, then history will judge what's lacking in the silverware department as much as they should accurately judge the majestic partnership the two formed.
           So we ask you the question...
        who's better: Neymar or Mbappe?

8
KEVIN DE BRUYNE (City) 

-10 assists overall 
(9 in 2019)
(in only 22 starts, 31 apps.)
-UDGC: 6 
(Everton, Fulham, Watford, own goal vs Burnley, own goal vs Wolver, vs Burton, 2nd leg for Aguero goal)
-CHANCES CREATED
 -TOTAL: 53
 -PER 90: 3.6 (UCL) , 3.3 (EPL)

           Yes...the text is all in ginger orange for a reason here...            
           Even I struggle to make sense of Kevin De Bruyne somehow amassing 22 starts in this injury-ravaged 2018/19 campaign he's had to endure. 
           The Belgian somehow continued to pop up in City's biggest moments of the season, finally finding fitness after Guardiola was able to resist the temptation to rush him out against Liverpool in what would turn out to be the ultimate decider of the title race.
           And it was Pep Guardiola's obsession with starting De Bruyne in domestic cup competitions that kept the injuries rolling, yet we were so lucky to see the Belgian find his fitness in 2019.
          Since the turn of the year, he's resumed his outrageous midfield artistry and all-around attacking brilliance, going full Clockwork Orange on our asses and engineering many of the City goals with his filthy play (even making his Belgian teammate stand in awe as De Bruyne pulled off one of Hazard's own left wing moves when he dribbled past Ross Barkley on the left wing earlier this spring).
          We witnessed Kevin De Bruyne will City to a VAR decision away from their second ever UCL semifinal appearance in club history, prowling the Spurs defense like a viper and ripping out 3 miraculous assists that displayed his virtual dominance of the modern #10 role. 
          Since he found his fitness, De Bruyne has directly assisted 9 goals and has 4 UDGC, supplying a litany of chances while Guardiola finally maintains careful monitoring of the Belgian's recovery.
          Now that the season has ended and De Bruyne has remained fit, he looks toward a full season in 2019/2020 and who knows how many more assists, goals or City victories he'll be part and parcel of in the future.
         But for his efforts, he's finally achieved inclusion on our humble little list thanks to his unbelievable perseverance and uncanny attacking threat, all underlined by one stat: 
nobody has dropped more assists in 2019 than KDB (9), with his nearest challengers being teammate Leroy Sane grabbing the same number and Willian nabbing 8, all while playing more minutes than KDB and maintaining full fitness, which he struggled to find.
         De Bruyne is the most valuable asset City have, though it will serve the Mancunian squad well going nearly half of a campaign without him and still achieving a domestic treble, his absence only further strengthening the supporting cast at the Etihad...pushing the ceiling for Guardiola's City ever higher.

7
HOUSSEM AOUAR (Lyon)

-10 assists overall
-UDGC: 3 (2 vs Caen)
-CHANCES CREATED
 -TOTAL: 59
 -PER 90: 1.4 (UCL), 1.4 (LIGUE1)
-assisted Terrier in hitting the post vs Caen


            Aouar was at his best again in the penultimate Ligue 1 weekend, producing the creative goods that torched Caen in the second half, Bruno Genesio's men finally finding a way through thanks to the efforts of Depay and Maxwell Cornet combining earlier in the second 45.
            But with the points still threatened, Aouar's eye-of-the-needle midfield play unlocked Caen multiple times: his one touch ball out to Martin Terrier bamboozled three defenders who were attracted to the pulse of Aouar's goal bound run; but the bristling footballing IQ of the Algerian-Frenchman was too much, his little toe pass leading Terrier to the left, his shot careening off of the post and into the path of Cornet, the Ivorian making no mistake on the rebound, giving Aouar his first UDGC of the day.
            Later on, it was beautiful one touch combination play from Dembele, Terrier and Aouar on the left that gave them the 3rd goal: Aouar finishing the move off with a sliced pass outside yet again, a through ball that led Moussa Dembele to rocket a shot from the same tight angle on the left that Aouar led Terrier to before, this time the post not being a factor.
              Still rampant and with Dijon chasing a 3-0 score, Houssem grabbed the ball on the right wing to start a counter and launched a long ball that sent Maxwell Cornet and Depay completely free, the Ivorian delightfully chipping an orbital assist over the top of Caen's midfield for the Dutchman to clap into the net for his 2nd goal, giving Aouar his 2nd UDGC of the match and 3rd in his last 2 appearances.
            The uncapped Frenchman has bolstered his transfer stock over the last six matches, producing 5 assists and 3 uncredited direct goal contributions as Depay's creation dries up and Nabil Fekir resumes his injury status.
             The 20 year old has proven himself to be an invaluable piece of the Lyon puzzle and with Ndombele, Fekir, Depay and Ferland Mendy all rumored to be jumping ship at the end of the campaign, Aouar staying at the Ligue 1 club may be absolutely necessary for their continued success.

6
LIONEL MESSI (Barca)

-19 assists overall 
-UDGC: 9
-CHANCES CREATED
 -TOTAL: 136
 -PER 90: 3.1 (LALIGA), 2.9 (UCL)

           Messi put on a solo show against Eibar, dancing through challenges with the wind nipping at his newly shaven cheeks and displaying everything that makes him the greatest player of all time.
           As a team, Barcelona played some proper football in sequences, but were once again uninspired and bored, leaving everything up to Messi's dictation.
           Looking for any signs of life, the embattled Barca captain turned and whisked the ball away from the grasp of any Eibar player, flipping a ridiculous bunch of passes over the 90 minutes.
           He was setting the stage for the build-up play, flicking the ball around on-rushing challenges, the Eibar press coming in thick and fast over the duration, their attention magnetized to Lionel's every move....yes this is what eleven players reacting to one looks like.

         He scored two filthy goals in two minutes, both from incisive moves and through balls from the midfielders (the assists from Vidal and Rakitic were stupendous). The first goal featured the Barca captain crucifying Eibar with a silky, deadened touch that floored the keeper before tossing it under his outstretched arm, or his sacrilegious  scoop over the helpless Dmitrovic whilst on the run and being hurried and hassled by two defenders.
         Creatively, the stats say Messi offered nothing: post-match,  Whoscored.com said "Messi had 0 key passes", yet when you actually watch the match, Messi sets up Malcolm in a perfect area and opportunity to rip a shot into the net, truly being able to choose a myriad of ways to score from the space and time Messi's brilliant ball provided.
           But it was the way Messi set Malcolm free: driving in towards the box and sucking in four Eibar players to converge on him from all sides, including former Barca man Marc Cucurella (who looked fantastic); Somehow, some way, Messi flipped the ball through the four defenders and into the path of Malcolm who stupidly hesitated and waited until Eibar reacted and pressed him into a wayward ball across the face of goal to nobody.
           Once again, clear and undisputed proof: Messi does something godlike, just pure, outrageous footballing technique, IQ, athleticism and unspoiled genius....but the faceless critics who mine the stat sites will assume he had nothing to show for it when his teammates (once again) let him down in the final third.
          Later, he produced the dirtiest play he's done on the pitch since the first half at Anfield: Lionel dragged defenders in on him again, this time beginning to dribble his way out of it before letting the left footed touch (meant to be a dribble) smack against his incoming right and spray the ball wide left to Arturo Vidal, splitting the faces of Eibar defenders in half.
          The Argentine is irresistible and we are lucky to see him do this again at the Copa Del Rey final, yet we also get to witness him push Argentina towards another final in the Copa America this summer.
          Argentina doesn't deserve Messi until they show him the proper love, respect and support he deserves, but do we deserve to witness such immortal greatness?
          Do we deserve Messi????
          We take him for granted (definitely) but let's all stop doing that....go on YouTube and mine the gold...the proof is there and anytime Lionel Messi walks on to a pitch.

5
JADON SANCHO (Dortmund)

-16 assists overall
-UDGC: 6
-CHANCES CREATED
 -TOTAL: 77
 -PER 90: 2.3 (BUND), 2.1 (UCL)
-involved with Reus for 9 goals this season, Reus assisting 6 of them, Sancho 3
-finished 1st full top flight season scoring 
13 goals

         Sancho came up big for Dortmund, burying the match winner after a cross from Marco Reus that went looping over the goalkeeper and the English teen followed the ball to the far post to volley into the net.
        It was yet another huge goal for Dortmund, but it would prove too little too late as Bayern Munich muscled through Eintracht Frankfurt with some wonderfully crafted goals, though Lucien Favre's men had an inspiring season, giving us the closest Bundesliga race since the time of Jurgen Klopp's Dortmund winning it at the start of the decade.
        Sancho hasn't notched an assist in quite a while, though it was just as good as one when he rolled Christian Pulisic  in on goal with a sick through ball, the American choosing the best option and sliding an inch-perfect ball across the face of goal for Marco Reus to bash home, setting up Sancho's 6th UDGC with yet another uncredited but (thoroughly) direct goal contribution.
         The former City youth product is hard to quantify as he does so much with every pass, run into the box or shot bringing intense danger and ushering threatening play to the fore: at one point on Saturday, Sancho ripped a precise ball into the box that was quickly cleared, only for the clearance to ricochet off of the left post, yet another uncredited chance created for the teenager (but one that goes noticed here).
         He finished the season with a wild 16 assists and 13 goals, topping Lionel Messi in the league assists total and enjoying his football under Lucien Favre, arresting Bundesliga and European opposition with handcuffing attacking play.
         Sancho has had a miraculous season, one which we've followed all along the way. 
       We'll definitely delve into his brilliance even deeper when next week's final AssistKings Quarterly: The 10 Best of the Season list comes out.

4
BERNARDO SILVA (City)

-13 assists overall
-UDGC: 8
-CHANCES CREATED
 -TOTAL: 97
 -PER 90: 1.7 (UCL), 2.2 (EPL)

            Bernardo Silva wins City titles....
            And Pep Guardiola knows it.
           "For me, the best player in the Premier League was him," the former Barca manager said at a recent press conference (in reference to Bernardo). 
            And I completely agree with Pep Guardiola, the man has done far more than any miniature stat or previously unknown figure can register.
            This is more of a gut thing.
            When everything is on the line, Bernardo Silva raises his game and pushes himself over and beyond that limit, a limit I thought had been potentially reached after years of neglect from upper echelon clubs and (worst of all), his exclusion from Portugal's national team for the 2014 World Cup (due to a manager unwilling to see the big picture) and Euro 2016 (from lack of fitness due to an injury). 
        Bernardo had already started, starred and kicked complete ass for the youth national team, dictating and mastering opponents in front of the greatest scouts from around Europe at the 2013 U-19 Euros, and has been a known commodity and a transfer rumor mill's dream, his name being linked to every club on planet earth during his time at Monaco.
         Now, like the long wait in between Tool records, he has become everything he / we could've ever hoped for as a footballer, delivering on the promise and potential of his elite abilities, the two or three wilderness years only serving to fine-tune the finished product.
        We see Bernardo Silva standing tall (time and time again) for all to see in the biggest of moments, scoring massive goals that kept City ticking, however we all know what it really was that separated City from Liverpool's disgusting haul of 97 points...
          It was the images of Bernardo dribbling to the byline in the first minutes of that tremendous title-decider vs Liverpool in January:
        It looked like he was going nowhere until he flipped a tremendous ball back into the box for Sergio Aguero to rifle into the roof of the net, providing City the all-important early goal that gave (and continues to give) City control of any match.
          Nobody else in this City team, apart from Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling, understand the vast importance of an early goal (and denying early goals) to the Guardiola game plan of possession, control, penetration and movement...2 minutes of conservative possession giving way to direct diagonal balls out to the fullbacks or penetrating through balls from defensive midfielders, every piece of the puzzle on the pitch can be the star in this City team (Laporte's final third contributions in 2018/19 point this out heavily).
           But nobody has been better than Bernardo, the Portuguese man has carved the biggest opponents to pieces with frenzied delight, including his opening mischief in the Chelsea penalty area that assisted the opening goal of the 6-0 rout (UDGC); or his 2 assists to seal the 3-1 win over United, or his breathtaking goal vs the "great enemy"  again in the 2-0 Manc Derby sequel; Bernardo's goal in the 4-3 narrow VAR 2nd leg win / aggregate defeat to Tottenham; or when, after a tense opening 35 minutes and only a single goal aggregate lead over Schalke, Bernardo Silva got on his bike and flew off on a mercurial run into the penalty area and draws a stone-cold foul while bringing down Gundogan's ball over the top...after Aguero deposited the penalty, this opening goal brought on 6 more in a stunning avalanche of attacking brutality...with Bernardo as the gatekeeper.
          At every turn, Bernardo has been the man for Man City. Had he gone down injured (just as KDB), I venture to say Guardiola's Citizens don't defend their EPL crown against Liverpool's 97 points without the Portugal man.

3
JOSHUA KIMMICH (Bayern)

-17 assists overall
-UDGC: 10
-CHANCES CREATED
 -TOTAL: 115
 -PER 90: 2.4 (BUND), 2.3 (UCL

          Bayern Munich were supposed to have already sealed the Bundesliga, with some years in the past seeing them clinching it weeks before the actual league calendar ends.
         But the reality is Dortmund were the best team in the Bundesliga all season, and subtracting a few weeks of Reus injury or red card suspension, Bayern are waving goodbye to their retiring wingers Robbery (Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben) without a major title.
          It didn't help when Frankfurt leveled the score early, scaring Bayern fans who knew a draw wasn't going to do it: they had to win to secure it. And with  Lewandowski misfiring, Gnabry working hard without a finished article and Coman enjoying shooting more than passing lately, it was going to have to be Joshua Kimmich who would create the action.
           Right before half time, Kimmich  should've had an assist to Lewandowski (open and free with a one on one chance), instead Kimmich slapped the ball hard into the feet of the Polish striker instead of leading him a little to the right with a through ball.
          Kimmich did have a horrible error that led to Sebastian Haller's temporary equalizer only five minutes into the second half, making a disastrous whiff at a clearance, catching only air with his feet as he laid sprawled to the ground while Frankfurt's center back Abraham smacked the post and Haller smashed the rebound in authoritatively.
         But he continued on, creating chances to Gnabry with some bizarre play while falling down, exquisitely tapping the ball wide for the former Arsenal product to cut to his right and snap a blast that nearly sank into diabolical Kevin Trapp's net. 
         Later, he even had his own blast from just in front of the penalty area cleared off the line by Frankfurt's Abraham, yet again involved in the craziness at both ends.
         However, it was all done for Frankfurt when Kimmich surged through the center and smashed a pass out wide to Franck Ribery, the AssistKing Master playing in his final Bayern Munich match at the Allianz Arena (one more to go in the DFB Pokal Final next Saturday).
         The speed of the pass allowed Ribery to cut inside from his favored left forward position on to two Frankfurt  defenders (who shall not be named for the intense shame they're already feeling) and dribbled through them, then ran on to the hapless, embarrassing figure of Kevin Trapp and scooped the ball over the former PSG man, and Kimmich got in on the history as the assister of the French winger's final goal in his last show for the Bavarian fans.
       
2
RAHEEM STERLING (City)

-15 assists overall
-UDGC: 8
-CHANCES CREATED
 -TOTAL: 105
 -PER 90: 2.7 (UCL), 2.1 (EPL)

          Sterling (once again) was the secret weapon in Manchester City's quest for a domestic treble, scoring twice and assisting to David Silva with his head in the 6-0 FA Cup Final victory over Watford, equaling the record for goals in an English final.
          He even tried to steal an outrageous finish from Gabriel Jesus off of the line, yet the replays showed it had clearly crossed before he followed it in, making this the second occasion he's had a hat trick wiped off of the board in the last month.
          Goalscoring aside, Sterling's creative instincts pulled the match to City's sway, right after a Deloufeu pass to Pereyra set the Argentine free on a 1-on-1 breakaway, only just being saved by Ederson's knee. 
           It was down at the other end where an aerial duel to keep the ball alive inside the Watford penalty area gave City the early goal they always crave: Sterling battling in the air for the ball, getting stuffed on one attempt before rising above his defender once again and nodding the ball forward to the left for David Silva to latch on to, caressing it down and smashing through a Watford deflection and past Huerelio Gomes.
            Raheem also showed breathtaking pace when he feinted receiving a pass directly into feet and turned free into space, letting the ball roll into the imaginary path his flying feet made for him without touching it.
            He cut the entire Watford team in half with one turn before setting up a Gabriel Jesus blast at goal, only one defender being in the area and Jesus showing a lack of touch in the attempt.

            Later, Raheem flashed an incendiary through ball with the outside of his boot that broke Watford and set Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne completely free in acres of space, the De Bruyne goal being nearly walked in.
           It's not just a domestic treble Raheem Sterling delivered: his wrongfully disallowed goal vs Spurs would've sent them to the brink of an unprecedented quadruple. 
          When's the last time Sterling has been injured?
          When's the last time he actually played poorly???

1
DUSAN TADIC  (Ajax)
DID NOT PLAY

Ramos wishes he had broken Tadic's arm right here in the 1st leg

-21 assists overall 
-UDGC: 5
-CHANCES CREATED
 -TOTAL: 147
 -PER 90: 3.1 (UCL), 2.8 (ERED)

            Ajax's season is over, but with the Serb still having the most assists in European football (while skipping two matches in weeks other players appeared), he has to remain #1 until someone can come close.
           Any arguments over the weaker Eredivisie league falls in a shatter when it's revealed his 37 key passes in the Champions League were the most of anyone in the tournament so far, that's not counting his UCL qualifiers stats,  either.

BEST OF THE REST / REST OF THE BEST

MEMPHIS DEPAY  (Lyon)

-15 assists overall 

-UDGC: 4

-CHANCES CREATED

 -TOTAL: 143

 -PER 90: 3.8 (UCL), 3.6 (LIGUE1)

-assisted 3 players hitting the post 

          Depay was huge for Lyon, scoring 2 goals to help them bury Caen after a tough first 45 minutes. 
         Though he didn't grab an assist, he produced 2 chances and helped orchestrate Lyon' s 4 goals with his deceptive movement in the middle, pulling defenders away from other advantageous runs culminating in Lyon finally producing the goods in the final third at the most important time of the season, all without Nabil Fekir as he succumbs to a new injury. 

             Still, not enough to make the current list, even with his impressive CV.
             Will he make the final ASSISTKINGS QUARTERLY End of Season list??

ALEJANDRO GRIMALDO (Benfica)

-13 assists overall

-CHANCES CREATED

 -TOTAL: 65

 -PER 90: 1.6 (LIGANOS), 1.1 (EUROPA), 1.0 (UCL)

-5 key passes and 1 assist this last match day 

ANGEL DI MARIA (PSG)

-16 assists overall

-CHANCES CREATED:

 -TOTAL: 88

 -PER 90: 2.9 (UCL), 2.1 (LIGUE1)

-assisted 4 teammates who hit the post

             We welcome Di Maria back after he assisted for PSG on the weekend, his 16th across all competitions after he set up Edinson Cavani for a header to get things simmering for the Parisians. 

             The Argentine has had an under the radar season, yet has continued to register assists and goals, scoring 13 and providing 16 total on the season, while also dishing 4 chances from which teammates hit the post.

                  Will he make his way on to our final end of campaign list? 

JULIAN BRANDT (Leverkeusen)

-13 assists overall 
-UDGC: 7
-CHANCES CREATED
 -TOTAL: 99
 -PER 90: 2.9 (BUND), 2.2 (EUROPA)

            Brandt narrowly misses our list, but he was brilliant once again as Bayer Leverkeusen trounced Hertha Berlin in a crucial final match day.
           The young blond haired German scored a goal yet failed to register an assist by the slimmest of margins, his 1 chance being a cross to Sven Bender who's robust header was barely saved.His curling, venomous strike was also his 13th goal of the season.            
                The much-in demand German (who's supposedly rejecting Liverpool's offer for his services) also dished 52 passes in a complete authoritative performance alongside his carbon copy teammate, fellow German-wunderkind Kai Havertz (having the same form in goalscoring that Brandt is enjoying with assists).
              Despite an inconsistent campaign, Peter Bosz forced his young talent pool to deliver on the promise of their potential. Due to this, Leverkeusen sealed 4th place in the Bundesliga and Champions League qualification once again.


HAKIM ZIYECH  (Ajax)DID NOT PLAY

-19 assists overall 
-UDGC: 10
-CHANCES CREATED
 -TOTAL: 157
 -PER 90: 4.0 (ERED), 2.2 (UCL)

METRIC

1. PERFORMANCE:
 the impact and effect their creativity (any act on the ball) has on the overall results of their team (i.e victories and losses combined with high or lower levels of performance). In this part of the metric, we judge goals and contributions to goals that aren't credited officially with assists  (such as earned penalties or causing own goals.
2. UNCREDITED DIRECT GOAL CONTRIBUTIONS (UDGC):
This would include chances created that weren't officially counted thanks to a teammate's bad touch or failed run, since key passes are only officially counted if the pass is completed, yet we all know a pass doesn't have to be completed for a chance to have been created (just make sure your brain is alright after that...whew..mine is barely). Here, we also equate decisive passes (the pass that sets up the assist) as chances created, as well. 
3. RECENCY BIAS:
We do give credence on these lists to players who are hotter in current matches than others who have cooled, with the overall tallies being considered 
4. DIFFICULTY OF OPPOSITION:
This is an obvious factor. Example:  such is the lower level of defensive, goalkeeping and deeper midfield talents below the top 2 or 3 clubs in France's Ligue 1 or the Netherlands Eredivisie, that 7 or 8 assists in the Premier league, Bundesliga or La Liga equates to 10 or 11 in France or Holland. 
The eyes don't lie 

MOST CHANCES CREATED 
(all comps)
1. HAKIM ZIYECH (Ajax): 157

2. DUSAN TADIC (Ajax): 147

3. MEMPHIS DEPAY (Lyon): 143

4. EDEN HAZARD (Chelsea): 138

5. LIONEL MESSI (Barca): 136

6a. WILLIAN (Chelsea): 133

6b. MARTIN ODEGAARD (Vitesse): 133

MOST UDGC (all comps)

1a.HAKIM ZIYECH (Ajax): 10
1b.MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool): 10

1c.JOSHUA KIMMICH (Mun): 10

2a. LIONEL MESSI (Barca): 9
2b.ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI(Mun):9
2c.ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE (AR):9

3a. LUIS SUAREZ (Barca): 8 

3b. BERNARDO SILVA (City): 8
4a. RAHEEM STERLING (City): 7

4b. SERGE GNABRY (Mun): 7

4c. JULIAN BRANDT (Bayer): 7

5a. LEROY SANE (City): 6 

5b. KYLIAN MBAPPE (PSG): 6

MOST ASSISTS (all comps):
1. DUSAN TADIC (Ajax):        21
2a. LIONEL MESSI (Barca):      19

2b.HAKIM ZIYECH (Ajax):         19

3a.JOSHUA KIMMICH (Bayern):  17
3b.LEROY SANE (City):          17
3c.CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN (Spurs):17

4a. EDEN HAZARD (Chelsea): 16

4b. JADON SANCHO (Dortmund): 16
4c. ANGEL DI MARIA (PSG): 16
5a.KYLIAN MBAPPE (PSG):         15
5b. RYAN FRASER (Bournemouth): 15
5c. MEMPHIS DEPAY (Lyon):        15
5d. RAHEEM STERLING (City): 15

7. TEJI SAVANIER (Nimes): 14